A new study in the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques examines the cost-effectiveness of PEEK implants for spine surgery.
The researchers conducted a literature review to determine the most effective graft or hardware for one-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using the Markov decision model. The researchers found:
1. The cost per quality-adjusted life year for autograft, allograft and PEEK cages for cervical fusion was:
• PEEK: $3,328
• Autograft: $2,492
• Allograft: $2,492
2. Every graft and hardware option was a cost-effective way to improve the patients' life with chronic neck pain.
3. Allograft was the most cost-effective option.
4. PEEK reported greater than $100,000 per QALY incremental cost-effectiveness ratio when compared with autograft or allograft.
5. The researchers concluded, "PEEK is not a cost-effective option compared with allograft or autograft for use in ACDF."